Man who beat pregnant girlfriend with weight sentenced

Posted on 11/16/2017

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Greeley man found guilty in August of beating his pregnant girlfriend with a 10-pound weight was sentenced Wednesday to 48 years in prison.

Weld County District Court Judge Thomas Quammen nearly handed down the maximum sentence in the case against 26-year-old Manuel Rodriguez. He faced up to 50 years. A jury convicted him in August of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance.

The attack happened in the early morning hours of October 16, 2016 after Rodriguez got mad at his girlfriend, who was seven months pregnant at the time, for “ruining his night at the bar,” according to testimony during the trial. After consuming many drinks and cocaine, he followed her home and began punching her in the face and body and hit her repeatedly with the weight.

“This is one of the most heinous offenses I have ever seen, and that can’t be overstated,” said Deputy District Attorney Patrick Roche at Wednesday’s sentencing. “This defendant made his problems the community’s problem, and he has shown that he poses a risk to everyone.”

In the 911 recording, the victim can be heard yelling, “You’re going to kill me.” The defendant said that was his point. The victim had a broken nose, extensive bruising on both arms, lacerations on her neck and severe swelling on her face. Despite the attack, the baby was not injured.

“The total disregard this defendant had for human life is shocking and appalling,” said District Attorney Michael Rourke. “In an intoxicated rage, he beat the victim until she was bloody and unconscious. He can spend these next 48 years trying to explain his actions, but this attack on a pregnant mother is inexcusable.”